Please wait a minute...
Journal of Integrative Agriculture  2015, Vol. 14 Issue (12): 2490-2499    DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(15)61212-6
Special Focus: Best Soil Management from Long-Term Field Experiments for Sustainable Agriculture Advanced Online Publication | Current Issue | Archive | Adv Search |
Integrated application of February Orchid (Orychophragmus violaceus) as green manure with chemical fertilizer for improving grain yield and reducing nitrogen losses in spring maize system in northern China
 BAI Jin-shun, CAO Wei-dong, XIONG Jing, ZENG Nao-hua, GAO Song-juan, Shimizu Katsuyoshi
1、Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilizer, Ministry of Agriculture/Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning,
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, P.R.China
2、Soil and Fertilizer Institute, Qinghai Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, P.R.China
3、College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, P.R.China
4、Faculty of Agriculture, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
Download:  PDF in ScienceDirect  
Export:  BibTeX | EndNote (RIS)      
摘要  The development of more efficient management systems is crucial to achieving high grain yields with high nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). February Orchid-spring maize rotation system is a newly established planting system with the benefits of ground cover and potential wind erosion in northern China. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of integrated application of February Orchid as green manure with reduction of chemical fertilizers (INTEGRATED) on spring maize yield, N uptake, ammonium volatilization, and soil residual mineral N in northern China. Compared to farmers’ traditional fertilization (CON), integrated application of February Orchid as green manure with 30% reduction of nitrogen fertilizers (INTEGRATED) increased maize grain yield and biomass by 9.9 and 10.2%, respectively. The 0–100 cm soil residual Nmin at harvest was decreased by 58.5% and thus nitrogen use efficiency was increased significantly by 26.7%. The nitrogen balance calculation further demonstrated that the INTEGRATED approach performed better than CON with lower apparent nitrogen loss (decreased by 48.9%) which evidenced by the ammonium volatilization of top-dressing fertilizer was decreased by 31.1%, the Nmin movement to the deeper soil layers was reduced, and the apparent nitrogen leaching loss nearly equal to 0 under the INTEGRATED treatment. Therefore, in northern China, integrated application of green manure and chemical fertilizers is an efficient management approach for improving maize yields and NUE simultaneously.

Abstract  The development of more efficient management systems is crucial to achieving high grain yields with high nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). February Orchid-spring maize rotation system is a newly established planting system with the benefits of ground cover and potential wind erosion in northern China. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of integrated application of February Orchid as green manure with reduction of chemical fertilizers (INTEGRATED) on spring maize yield, N uptake, ammonium volatilization, and soil residual mineral N in northern China. Compared to farmers’ traditional fertilization (CON), integrated application of February Orchid as green manure with 30% reduction of nitrogen fertilizers (INTEGRATED) increased maize grain yield and biomass by 9.9 and 10.2%, respectively. The 0–100 cm soil residual Nmin at harvest was decreased by 58.5% and thus nitrogen use efficiency was increased significantly by 26.7%. The nitrogen balance calculation further demonstrated that the INTEGRATED approach performed better than CON with lower apparent nitrogen loss (decreased by 48.9%) which evidenced by the ammonium volatilization of top-dressing fertilizer was decreased by 31.1%, the Nmin movement to the deeper soil layers was reduced, and the apparent nitrogen leaching loss nearly equal to 0 under the INTEGRATED treatment. Therefore, in northern China, integrated application of green manure and chemical fertilizers is an efficient management approach for improving maize yields and NUE simultaneously.
Keywords:  cover crop       ammonium volatilization       mineral nitrogen       nitrogen use efficiency       nitrogen balance  
Received: 20 April 2015   Accepted:
Fund: 

The study was conducted under the support of the Special Fund for Agro-scientific Research in the Public Interest of Ministry of Agriculture of China (201103005), the Science and Technology Innovation in Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the National Crop Germplasm Resources Protection of Ministry of Agriculture of China (2015NWB044), and the National Crop Germplasm Resources Platform of Ministry of Science and Technology of China (NICGR2015- 019).

Corresponding Authors:  CAO Wei-dong, Tel/Fax: +86-10-82106733, E-mail: caoweidong@caas.cn     E-mail:  caoweidong@caas.cn
About author:  BAI Jin-shun, E-mail: baijinshun@caas.cn;

Cite this article: 

BAI Jin-shun, CAO Wei-dong, XIONG Jing, ZENG Nao-hua, GAO Song-juan, Shimizu Katsuyoshi. 2015. Integrated application of February Orchid (Orychophragmus violaceus) as green manure with chemical fertilizer for improving grain yield and reducing nitrogen losses in spring maize system in northern China. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 14(12): 2490-2499.

Bai J S, Cao W D, Fan Y Y, Gao S J. 2013. Nutrientcharacteristics of four kinds of winter green manure and theirinfluences on soil mineral nitrogen before incorporation.Plant Nutrtion and Fertlizer Science, 19, 413-419 (inChinese)

Bremner J M. 1996. Nitrogen-Total. In: Sparks D L, ed., Methodsof Soil Analysis. Part 3. SSSA Book Ser. 5. ASA and SSSA,Madison, WI. pp. 1085-1121

Cao Q H, 2002. Simulating analysis of nitrogen leachingcharacteristic as influenced by stochastic rainfall/climaticvariation under wheat-corn cropping system. Ph D thesis,China Agricultural University, China. (in Chinese)

Cassman K G, Dobermann A, Walters D T. 2002.Agroecosystems, nitrogen use efficiency, and nitrogenmanagement. Ambio, 31,132-140

Cui Z L, Zhang F S, Chen X P, Miao Y X, Li J L. 2008. On-farmevaluation of an in-season nitrogen management strategybased on soil Nmin test. Field Crops Research, 105, 48-55

Drinkwater L E, Snapp S S. 2007. Nutrients in agroecosystems:Rethinking the management paradigm. Advances inAgronomy, 92, 163-186

Fixen P E, Grove J H. 1990. Testing soils for phosphorus. In:Westerman R L, ed., Soil Testing and Plant Analysis. SSSABook Ser. 3. SSSA, Madison, WI. pp. 141-180

Gabriel J L, Quemada M. 2011. Replacing bare fallow withcover crops in a maize cropping system: Yield, N uptake andfertiliser fate. European Journal of Agronomy, 34, 133-143

Gardner J B, Drinkwater L E. 2009. The fate of nitrogen ingrain cropping systems: A meta-analysis of N-15 fieldexperiments. Ecological Applications, 19, 2167-2184

Guo J H, Liu X J, Zhang Y, Shen J L, Han W X, Zhang WF, Christie P, Goulding K, Vitousek P, Zhang F S. 2010.Significant acidification in major Chinese croplands.Science, 327, 1008-1010

Haby V A, Russelle M P, Skogley E O. 1990. Testing soils forpotassium, calcium, and magnesium. In: Westerman R L,ed., Soil Testing and Plant Analysis. SSSA Book Ser. 3.SSSA, Madison, WI. pp. 181-227

Horowitz W. 1970. Official Methods of Analysis. 11th ed. AOAC,Washingtong, D.C. pp. 17-18.Ju X T, Kou C L, Zhang F S, Christie P. 2006. Nitrogen balanceand groundwater nitrate contamination: Comparison amongthree intensive cropping systems on the North China Plain.Environment Pollution, 143, 117-125

Ju X T, Xing G. X, Chen X P, Zhang F S, Zhang L J, Liu XJ, Cui Z L, Yin B, Christie P, Zhu Z L, Zhang F S. 2009.Reducing environmental risk by improving N managementin intensive Chinese agricultural systems. Proceedings ofthe National Academy of Sciences of the United States ofAmerica, 106, 3041-3046

Kramberger B, Gselman A, Janzekovic M, Kaligaric M, BrackoB. 2009. Effects of cover crops on soil mineral nitrogenand on the yield and nitrogen content of maize. EuropeanJournal of Agronomy, 31, 103-109

Ladha J K, Pathak H, Krupnik T J, Six J, Kessel C. 2005.Efficiency of fertilizer nitrogen in cereal production:Retrospects and prospects. Advances in Agronomy, 87,86-156

Liu J. 2010. Nutrition characteristics of Orychophragmusviolaceus and effects on spring maize as green manure.MSc thesis, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences,China. (in Chinese)

Liu J, Cao W D, Rong X N, Jin Q, Liang J F. 2012. Nutritionalcharacteristics of Orychophragmus violaceus in NorthChina. Soil and Fertilzer in China, 1, 78-82 (in Chinese)

Liu J, Cao W D, Rong X N, Zeng N H, Zhang J T. 2010. Growthcharacteristics of Orychophragmus violaceus in NorthChina. Soil and Fertilzer in China, 5, 77-81 (in Chinese)

Liu X J, Ju X T, Zhang F S, Pan J R, Christie P. 2003. Nitrogendynamics and budgets in a winter wheat-maize croppingsystem in the North China Plain. Field Crops Research,83, 111-124

Liu X J, Ju X T, Zhang Y, He C E, Kopsch J, Zhang F S. 2006.Nitrogen deposition in agroecosystems in the Beijing area.Agriculture Ecosystem Environment, 113, 370-377

Liu X J, Zhang Y, Han W X, Tang A H, Shen J L, Cui Z L,Vitousek P, Erisman J W, Goulding K, Christie P, FangmeierA, Zhang F S. 2013. Enhanced nitrogen deposition overChina. Nature, 494, 459-462

Mahmoudjafari M, Kluitenberg G J, Havlin J L, Sisson JB, Schwab A P. 1997. Spatial variability of nitrogenmineralization at the field scale. Soil Science Society ofAmerican Journal, 61, 1214-1221

Mazzoncini M, Bahadur S T, Barberi P, Antichi D, Risaliti R.2011. Long-term effect of tillage, nitrogen fertilization andcover crop on soil organic carbon and total nitrogen content.Soil Tillage Research, 114, 165-174

Miguez F E, Bollero G A. 2005. Review of corn yield responseunder winter cover cropping systems using meta-analysismethods. Crop Science, 45, 2318-2329

Ranells N N, Wagger M G. 1996. Nitrogen release from grassand legume cover crop monocultures and bicultures.Agronomy Journal, 88, 777-782

Ritchie S W, Hanway J J, Benson G O. 1993. How a Corn PlantDevelops. Special Report No. 48. Iowa State University,Cooperative Extension Service, Ames, IA. [2010-05-14].http://maize.agron.iastate.edu/corngrows.html

SAS Institute. 1996. SAS User’s Guide. SAS Institute, Cary, NC.

Sutton M A, Oenema O, Erisman J W, Leip A, van GrinsvenH, Winiwarter W. 2011. Too much of a good thing. Nature,472, 159-161

Thorup-Kristensen K, Magid J, Jensen L S. 2003. Catchcrops and green manures as biological tools in nitrogenmanagement in temperate zones. Advances in Agronomy, 79, 227-302

Tonitto C, David M B. Drinkwater L E. 2006. Replacing barefallows with cover crop in fertilizer-intensive croppingsystems: A meta-analysis of crop yield and N dynamics.Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 112, 58-72

Wang Z H, Liu X J, Ju X T, Zhang F S. 2002. Field in situdetermination of ammonia volatilization from soil: Ventingmethod. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Fertilizer, 8, 205-209(in Chinese)

Wang Z Y, Guo R Y, Li F M. 2011. Effects of different summercatch crops planting on soil inorganic N residue and leachingin greenhouse vegetable cropping system. Acta EcologySinica, 431, 2516-2523 (in Chinese)

Yang L. 2013. Effect of Incorporation of February Orchid(Orychophragmus violaceus L.) on nitrogen uptake andutilization of spring maize. MSc thesis, Chinese Academyof Agricultural Sciences, China. (in Chinese)

Yang L, Cao W D, Bai J S, Xiong J, Gao S J, Zeng N H, ShimizuK. 2013. Effect of combined application of February Orchid(Orychophragmus violaceus L.) and chemical fertilizer onnutrient uptake and utilization of spring maize. Journal ofPlant Nutrition and Fertilizer, 19, 799-807 (in Chinese)

Yeomans J C, Bremner J M. 1988. A rapid and precisemethod for routine determination of organic carbon insoil. Communication Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 19,1467-1476

Zhang F S, Cui Z L, Zhang W F. 2014. Managing nutrientfor both food security and environmental sustainability inChina: An experiment for the world. Frontiers of AgriculturalScience and Engineering, 1, 53-61

Zhang F S, Wang J Q, Zhang W F, Cui Z L, Ma W Q, ChenX P, Jiang R F. 2008. Nutrient use efficiencies of majorcereal crops in China and measures for improvement. ActaPedologica Sinica, 45, 915-924 (in Chinese)

Zhang L J, Ju X T, Ji Y Z, Zhang F S, Peng Z P. 2010. Effectsof fallow and plant growth in summer on the movement ofresidual nitrate in aquic soil on North China Plain. PlantNutrtion and Fertlizer Science, 16, 312-320 (in Chinese)

Zhao R F, Chen X P, Zhang F S. 2009. Nitrogen cycling andbalance in winter wheat-summer maize rotation system inNorthern China Plain. Acta Pedologica Sinica, 46, 684-697(in Chinese)

Zhu Z L, Chen D L. 2002. Nitrogen fertilizer use in China- Contributions to food production, impacts on theenvironment and best management strategies. NutrientCycling in Agroecosystems, 63, 117-127
[1] WANG Xin-yu, YANG Guo-dong, XU Le, XIANG Hong-shun, YANG Chen, WANG Fei, PENG Shao-bing. Grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency of an ultrashort-duration variety grown under different nitrogen and seeding rates in direct-seeded and double-season rice in Central China[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2023, 22(4): 1009-1020.
[2] Sunusi Amin ABUBAKAR, Abdoul Kader Mounkaila HAMANI, WANG Guang-shuai, LIU Hao, Faisal MEHMOOD, Abubakar Sadiq ABDULLAHI, GAO Yang, DUAN Ai-wang. Growth and nitrogen productivity of drip-irrigated winter wheat under different nitrogen fertigation strategies in the North China Plain[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2023, 22(3): 908-922.
[3] ZHOU Qun, YUAN Rui, ZHANG Wei-yang, GU Jun-fei, LIU Li-jun, ZHANG Hao, WANG Zhi-qin, YANG Jian-chang. Grain yield, nitrogen use efficiency and physiological performance of indica/japonica hybrid rice in response to various nitrogen rates[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2023, 22(1): 63-79.
[4] TIAN Chang, SUN Ming-xue, ZHOU Xuan, LI Juan, XIE Gui-xian, YANG Xiang-dong, PENG Jian-wei. Increase in yield and nitrogen use efficiency of double rice with long-term application of controlled-release urea[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2022, 21(7): 2106-2118.
[5] ZHU Kuan-yu, YAN Jia-qian, SHEN Yong, ZHANG Wei-yang, XU Yun-ji, WANG Zhi-qin, YANG Jian-chang. Deciphering the morpho–physiological traits for high yield potential in nitrogen efficient varieties (NEVs): A japonica rice case study[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2022, 21(4): 947-963.
[6] HUANG Li-ying, Li Xiao-xiao, ZHANG Yun-bo, Shah FAHAD, WANG Fei. dep1 improves rice grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency simultaneously by enhancing nitrogen and dry matter translocation[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2022, 21(11): 3185-3198.
[7] ZHAO Can, HUANG Heng, QIAN Zi-hui, JIANG Heng-xin, LIU Guang-ming, XU Ke, HU Ya-jie, DAI Qi-gen, HUO Zhong-yang. Effect of side deep placement of nitrogen on yield and nitrogen use efficiency of single season late japonica rice[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2021, 20(6): 1487-1502.
[8] YAO Feng-mei, LI Qin-ying, ZENG Rui-yun, SHI Si-qi. Effects of different agricultural treatments on narrowing winter wheat yield gap and nitrogen use efficiency in China[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2021, 20(2): 383-394.
[9] LI Guang-hao, CHENG Gui-gen, LU Wei-ping, LU Da-lei. Differences of yield and nitrogen use efficiency under different applications of slow release fertilizer in spring maize[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2021, 20(2): 554-564.
[10] ZHU Cong-hua, OUYANG Yu-yuan, DIAO You, YU Jun-qi, LUO Xi, ZHENG Jia-guo, LI Xu-yi. Effects of mechanized deep placement of nitrogen fertilizer rate and type on rice yield and nitrogen use efficiency in Chuanxi Plain, China[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2021, 20(2): 581-592.
[11] WU Yang, BIAN Shao-feng, LIU Zhi-ming, WANG Li-chun, WANG Yong-jun, XU Wen-hua, ZHOU Yu. Drip irrigation incorporating water conservation measures: Effects on soil water–nitrogen utilization, root traits and grain production of spring maize in semi-arid areas[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2021, 20(12): 3127-3142.
[12] CAI Dong-yu, YAN Hai-jun, LI Lian-hao. Effects of water application uniformity using a center pivot on winter wheat yield, water and nitrogen use efficiency in the North China Plain[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2020, 19(9): 2326-2339.
[13] Jagesh K. TIWARI, Sapna DEVI, Tanuja BUCKSETH, Nilofer ALI, Rajesh K. SINGH, Rasna ZINTA, Vijay K. DUA, Swarup K. CHAKRABARTI . Precision phenotyping of contrasting potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) varieties in a novel aeroponics system for improving nitrogen use efficiency: In search of key traits and genes[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2020, 19(1): 51-62.
[14] ZHANG Hao, HOU Dan-ping, PENG Xian-long, MA Bing-ju, SHAO Shi-mei, JING Wen-jiang, GU Jun-fei, LIU Li-jun, WANG Zhi-qin, LIU Yuan-ying, YANG Jian-chang. Optimizing integrative cultivation management improves grain quality while increasing yield and nitrogen use efficiency in rice[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2019, 18(12): 2716-2731.
[15] XU Hai-cheng, DAI Xing-long, CHU Jin-peng, WANG Yue-chao, YIN Li-jun, MA Xin, DONG Shu-xin, HE Ming-rong. Integrated management strategy for improving the grain yield and nitrogen-use efficiency of winter wheat[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2018, 17(2): 315-327.
No Suggested Reading articles found!